[NIFL-FOBASICS:862] Re: FW: we do exist

From: George Demetrion (george.demetrion@lvgh.org)
Date: Mon Dec 08 2003 - 17:26:53 EST


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From: "George Demetrion" <george.demetrion@lvgh.org>
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Subject: [NIFL-FOBASICS:862] Re: FW: we do exist
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Nixon and others,

To pick up on your subject line a bit,

The dilemma that I observe with most of the lists is that their long term
efficacy requires the sustained participation of perhaps a dozen individuals
over a long period of time.  With such energy unleashed, enough contagion is
unloosened in which others begin to participate, and then certain flows or
threads that take on a life of their own, at least for a while.  This seems
particularly the case with the AAACE-NLA and the NIFL-AAAPLD.  The NIFL-EFF
is somewhat similar, though that list seems a bit less dependent on the few.
Then again, there are long gaps of silence.  The singular exception that I
see is the NIFL-ESL.  Since I only scan the archives there, I may be off on
this, but, as a teacherly-oriented list, there is a broad and regular flow
of messages (mostly short) by a good number of contributors.  Why that is
so, I don't know.  Perhaps some of the participants on that list could
provide some illumination on this list and some suggestions for the
NIFL-FOB.

Even though the various list moderators over the years have bent over
backwards trying to stimulate conversation, what is missing on this list is
a critical mass of discourse, which is needed to sustain ongoing
conversation

I'd like to offer a suggestion that the NCSALL faculty, staff, and graduate
student body take collective responsibility for the direction needed, and
lead this list in a steady stream of discussion on the many projects and
initiatives that your agency has been engaged in over the years.

Now, there may be a Harvard reticence operative in an apprehension about
dominating the discussions.  That's clearly understandable.  Yet, under the
circumstances, in which "the field" has had an abundant opportunity to use
this venue and has largely elected not to do so, then the very survival of
this list as a meaningful communication organ is at stake.  Therefore, if
the NCSALL group takes ownership for this list and actively and continuously
posts a stream of messages based on their own research projects and related
areas of interest, then perhaps that critical mass of discourse will be
unleashed to stimulate a contagion of responses that any effective list
requires.

In the conservative climate of 2003, I submit the field needs the eloquence
of Harvard Square more than ever.  May the Crimson rise to the occasion.

George Demetrion


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nixon S. Griffis [mailto:ngriffis@bellsouth.net]
> Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2003 8:34 PM
> To: Alice Champagne
> Subject: RE: we do exist
>
>
> Alice,
> It is now more than a month from your communication...amazing. I too would
> like to correspond and share ideas with teachers.



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